Principal's News Flash 

Corinne Pupillo

Dear parents, carers and friends of the school community,

Welcome back to the 2023 school year. The longer break allows you and your family to enjoy some quality time together.  We have another busy year ahead and hope that you are well-rested and recharged for the upcoming school year. 

A very warm welcome to our new families and new staff,  I hope your time at JSA is positive and rewarding as we build a strong partnership with you during the year. 

Jacana School for Autism is turning 10 this year and we are busy planning some fabulous events in term 1 to mark the occasion.  

Saturday 18 March - Open Day for current and past students, staff and families 

We would love to see as many past and present students and staff as possible. 

Bookings: Trybooking: http://www.trybooking.com/1013656

Staffing Updates

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• Fatima Azmitia - Classroom Teacher
• Mary Boutros - Learning Specialist
• Sarah Hill - Sub School Leader (Middle Years)
• Ashleigh Hecker - Classroom Teacher
• Stacie Herman - Mental Health Practitioner 
• Amanda Hollway - Learning Specialist 
• Angela Laino - Classroom Teacher 
• Keeley McGregor - Classroom Teacher 
• Santhy Manojkumar - Classroom Teacher 
• Kerry Norton - VPC Teacher 
• Leigh O'Neill - Finance Manager 
• Nicole Sinclair - Teacher Aide 

Congratulations to all of those staff, we look forward to working with you in your new role. 

School Improvement 

In 2018 the school actively participated in a rigorous school review and a new School Strategic Plan was developed during the past 4 years.  We have made positive progress towards the 2023 School Theme which is strengthening learning and wellbeing.   When integrated, these elements build a positive environment through strong relationships that enable all students to become happy, healthy and resilient; successful lifelong learners; and active, informed members of just and sustainable communities. 

The 2023 Key Improvement Strategies: 

GOAL 1:  

Learning - Support both those who need extra support and those who have thrived to continue to extend their learning, especially in numeracy

GOAL 2: 

Wellbeing - Effectively mobilise available resources to support students' wellbeing and mental health, especially the most vulnerable.

All our teaching teams are working towards strengthening learning and wellbeing including physical and human resources committed to supporting each child to become happy healthy and resilient learners. 

Communication with Staff 

Jacana School for Autism understands the importance of providing helpful and timely responses to common enquiries from parents and carers. To ensure that members of our school community are directed to the most appropriate person to assist them, the information below outlines key contacts for common queries: 

• To report a student absence, please contact Absence Line on 0439 114 197
• To report any urgent issues relating to a student on a particular day, please contact the general office on 9309 6258 
• To discuss a student’s academic progress, health or wellbeing, please contact your child’s classroom teacher/ sub school leader. 

Primary Sub School Leader:  Rachael Macmillan| rachael.macmillan@education.vic.gov.au Middle Years Sub School Leader: Sarah Hill | sarah.hill2@education.vic.gov.au

Secondary Sub School Leader: Linda Wakeling | linda.wakeling@education.vic.gov.au

• For enquiries regarding camps and excursions, please contact your child’s classroom teacher. 
• To make a complaint, please contact the Principal/Assistant Principals on 9309 6258.

Principal:  Corinne Pupillo | Corinne.pupillo@education.vic.gov.au

Assistant Principal:  Stephanie Di Salvo | Stephanie.disalvo@education.vic.gov.au

Assistant Principal:  Daniel Moloney | Daniel.moloney@education.vic.gov.au

Assistant Principal: Eva Primarolo | eva.primarolo@education.vic.gov.au

Personal Property Policy

The beginning of a school year is a timely reminder about our personal property policy. Jacana School for Autism understands that staff and/or students may sometimes like to bring items of personal property to school. 

The Department of Education and Training does not have insurance for personal property of staff, students and visitors. Jacana School for Autism does not take responsibility for items of personal property that are lost, stolen or damaged at school or during school activities. Damage to personal property brought to school is the responsibility of the owner of that property. 

Jacana School for Autism encourages staff and students not to bring items of value to school, or to obtain appropriate insurance for such items. 

If students bring items of value to school, they will be confiscated and stored securely at the School Office until the end of the day, when the items may be collected by the student and/or parent. 

SCHOOL COUNCIL

School Council Meeting 

Notice of School Council Elections

Please refer to the School Community News Page for details.  

The First School Council meeting for 2023 is Thursday, 23rd of February at 5.30 pm.

School Council Sub-Committee Representatives

• Finance Sub Committee Representative - Mark Mansfield 
• Building and Grounds Sub Committee Representative – Denise Clarke
• Fundraising Sub Committee Representative – Lisa Sette
• School Council Representative on Student Representative Council (SRC)  

Reminder: Our newsletter is published each fortnight and will provide you with important information about the school and events that may be of interest to you. I encourage you to read the newsletter that will be sent home via your home email, on the school's Facebook Page or on the school's website. 

JSA also has a Facebook Page administered by the leadership team. Please like and follow our page.

REMINDERS

Unwell Students 

Each morning when students are getting ready for school, I ask that you be mindful of how your child is presenting.  If they/he/she is feeling/looking/acting unusual or is complaining of being unwell please take them to the doctor. Minimising the cross-infection will assist in reducing the risk of spreading bugs and viruses.

All student absences can be made through the dedicated student absence notification number. Text the student's name, room number and reason for absence.

Make sure you have the student absence notification number saved in your contacts: 

Aerial View - Jacana School for Autism

This aerial photography has captured our school from above to complement our school's Virtual School Tour. Please take a look and see how wonderful the facilities look from above. 

Sun Smart 

Dear parents/carers JSA is a SunSmart community. You can help our students to be SunSmart at school by:

1. Dressing them in clothing that covers as much skin as possible.
2. Apply a generous amount of SPF30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen at the start of the day before drop-off.
3. Packing their sun-protective hat each day.